Necessities: Georgia Bryers

What?Georgia Bryers talks about how a growth in her personal platform has lead to big opportunities, how negativity in social media should be dealt with, where she recommends you should visit in Los Angeles and what items she needs on the regular.

Zayyar: Tell us a little bit about yourself Georgia, what do you do and where are you based?

Georgia: I am a 24-year old graphic design student based in the capital city, Wellington. I work part-time at a clothing store “Coco” and I also do a few bits and pieces on Instagram too.

Zayyar: 2018 was a massive year for you personally, what were some of your highlights?

Georgia: Spending 6 weeks on an island in Fiji competing on a reality TV show had to be the biggest highlight of 2018 for me. The entire process of being cut off from the outside world, meeting the beautiful cast and crew and doing something that I had absolutely no control over (and somehow managing to win) is something I couldn’t put a price on.

Georgia: This year my focus is on nailing my studies (stay in school kids!) and absorbing as much knowledge and wisdom as I can whilst I’m still in a university environment. I’m also really wanting to develop my Instagram - make my account an authentic reflection of me, my style and my thoughts/feelings. I would love to make it a place of conversation and personal connection between both my followers and myself - so that is definitely something that is big on the agenda for 2019.

Zayyar: Obviously social media has played a big part in your life recently since the show, what’s your personal take on social media? Do you think it’s a tool or can it be harmful for us millennials?

Georgia: I think it’s all dependant on your relationship with it. Social media gets quite a bad wrap for being home to online hate and unrealistic expectations but at the same time it can be an incredibly beautiful place for connection and conversation.

Social media has been a major blessing for me in regards to opening doors and allowing me to work with brands I love and admire but it also acts as a direct channel of communication (positive and negative) and I’ve had my fair share of both. I make sure I don’t put too much weight into it - because as soon as you start believing your social media account is a reflection of your self worth then you begin playing a very dangerous game.

I just ensure I maintain a healthy balance between screen-life and real-life and understand there is a very big difference between the two.

Zayyar: That's awesome to hear that social media has played a big part in your life recently in terms of bringing new opportunities and as you mentioned you also deal with positive and negative criticism. How do you deal with the negatives personally? And what's some advice you can give to someone who may also be receiving this?

Georgia: Dealing with negative comments and hate is always tough and I feel like it is something I will never be able to simply ‘brush off’ but I always try to remember that often those comments are a reflection of how that person is feeling, not necessarily an accurate depiction of who you are. And as the saying goes “what someone says about you says more about them than it does about you” which is something I try to remember when a nasty comment is thrown my way.

My advice I would give to someone dealing with negative comments on social media is delete the comment, block the person and remember who you really are. And try to remember the people that genuinely know, love and appreciate you are the voices that really matter, not the ones coming from a stranger online.

I get my drive from supporting and loving people in the big and small moments in life and I always try to leave people a little better than how they were when I met them.

— Georgia Bryers

Zayyar: You recently just got back from Los Angeles, where were some of your favourite places you hung out there?

Georgia: My favourite spot in LA was definitely Venice! The main strip is filled with the coolest little stores and was a nice way to break up my time in the hustle and bustle of LA. If you’re out there make sure to stop by The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd for good food and also check out the vintage stalls there - they have the coolest one-off jewellery pieces.

The Fairfax area was my favourite pick for shopping with the coolest vintage markets while being just down the street from Supreme, FourTwoFour, GOLF WANG etc.

I also headed north of the city to a snow town called Big Bear’ and spent the night up their in a cabin with a few of the girls which was an absolute treat. I usually try to avoid going to the classic “touristy” spots because I always find the gems are in the spots that are off the grid a little bit and Big Bear was no exception. It was nice being able to change up the concrete jungle for a bit of snow and mulled wine with only two hours of separation - the beauty of California!

Instagram

Georgia: When I think about my passions and what makes me tick I see people rather than a “thing” or “action”. I have always been big on people. I sounds super odd and broad but it’s true. I’ve always held a lot of value in the relationships I have with those I love and the moments and experiences we’ve shared.

I think there’s so much importance in encouraging and empowering people in a world that can be heavily negative. I get my drive from supporting and loving people in the big and small moments in life and I always try to leave people a little better than how they were when I met them.

Zayyar: Finally, how much time do you spend on Instagram? Do you think spending too much on it is dangerous at all?

Georgia: On average I spend about 3-4 hours on Instagram a day, which I spend most of that time searching for inspiration, design ideas and cool people! I think whether high consumption is dangerous or not is all relative to the content you’re viewing. Is it making you feel better? Are you expanding your knowledge or getting inspired in a healthy way? These are all questions I believe we should be asking ourselves in relation to who we follow, what posts we see and who were engaging with. Because let’s remember, a healthy mind begins with filling it it with good thoughts.

Zayyar: So we got you to pick out five products that are things you can’t live without, could you explain what each one is, where you got them from and what they mean to you personally?

1. AirpodsNever did I know I needed earphones without wires until I got these bad boys and I will never look back! Although they’re a bit of a sneaky flex they are the best for listening to music, podcasts and taking calls on the go. Genius.

2. Organised Life JournalI’ve never been big on keeping a diary but this journal has been a game-changer when it comes to appointments, setting goals and scribbling down ideas throughout the day.

3. BagI have worn this baby every day since the day I got it and I love it. It goes with everything I own and it has quickly become a staple in my wardrobe.

4. Macbook ProIt had has almost the entirety of my life on it and I would be absolutely lost without it. A necessity for sure.

5. NecklaceMy most sentimental piece of jewellery that I picked up on my travels that has so many amazing memories attached to it.

Our Necessities series is for creatives and individuals to share what they carry everyday and why. Think you might be a good fit? E-mail us.